Loom lay rebound control mechanism



Sept. .15, 1936- J. D. WATSON 1-:1- m. ,0 5

- LOQM LAY-REBOUND CONTROL MECHANISM v Filed' NOV. 12, 1934 4 Sheets-Shea, l v

I A ZWVENTORi I BY an MM77HM A TTORNEY.

Sept. 15, 19361 J. D. .WATSON ETAL 2,054,150

LOOM LAY REBOUND CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Nov. 12, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet '2 ATTORNEY ,Sept. 15, 1936. 1p. WATSON ET AL 2,054,150

LOOM LAY REBOUND CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Nov. 1.2, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 A TTORNEY.

I P 1 J. D; WATSO-N ET AL 0 LOOM LAY REBOUND CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Nov. 12, 1954 '4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORNEYg Patented Sept. 15, 1936 UNITED STATES LOOM LAY REBOUND CONTROL MECHANISM John D. Watson, Appleton, and Ludwig Andersen, Wauwatosa, Wis.

Application November 12, 1934, Serial No. 752,588

11 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in loom lay rebound control mechanisms, particularly adapted for use in connection with Fourdrinier wire cloth weaving looms.

During the weaving of Fourdrinier wire cloth on a loom, it has, heretofore been customary to beat up the filler wires with two blows. The first blow, which is a heavy blow and accomplished with the shed either partially or fully open, op-

erates to drive the shute or weft wire into knuckles formed in the warp and at the same time this initial blow crimps the shute or weft wire to form a proper mesh. After the warp or sheds have been crossed over there is a second relatively light blow which insures proper retention of position of the weft wire, as said weft wire has a tendency to spring away from the. warp knuckles after the first heavy blow. As a result of this procedure there is, in the finished cloth,

a possibility of there being high shots or rough marks. There is also, by virtue of the above procedure, a constant tendency of the shute wire to turn over which requires the forming of new crimps which will obviously detract from the life and quality of the finished cloth.

It is, therefore the primary object of the present invention to provide a mechanism for Fourdrinier wire cloth weaving looms which will so control the rebound of the lay from the shute wire after the first blow as to render a second blow unnecessary, whereby the finished cloth will be more desirable and have a more perfect surface than was possible of attainment heretofore.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mechanism of the character described which controls the lay or heater of a loom in a manner so that when the lay drops and the reed beats against the face of the cloth, the mechanism can block or limit rebound and hold the reed against the face of the cloth until the sheds cross over, whereby turning or moving of the weft wire is prevented.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mechanism of the character described wherein rebound can be eliminated or controlled to a desired extent or be changed to a plurality of short vibrations.

A further object of the invention is to provide a loom lay rebound control mechanism which can easily be incorporated with a standard Fourdrinier wire cloth weaving loom with a minimum of modification to the latter.

A further object of the invention is to provide a loom lay rebound control mechanism which is eificient, expeditious and automatic in its operation, which is inexpensive to manufacture and install, which is strong and durable, and which is Well adapted for the purposes described.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists of the improved loom lay re- 55? bound control mechanism, and its parts and combinations as set forth in the claims, and all equivalents thereof.

In the drawings in which the same reference characters indicate the same parts in all of the 1'0 views:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side view, partly in section, of that portion of a Fourdrinier wire cloth weaving loom with which the improved lay rebound control mechanism is associated; 15

wires with respect to the relative positions of the 20 same illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail vertical sectional view of the rebound control hydraulic dash pot;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary detail sectional view of a portion of the dash pot and 5. certain valve mechanism;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on line 56 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. '7 is an enlarged fragmentary detailed sectional view illustrating certain valve mechanism.

The portion of a Fourdrinier wire cloth weaving 10cm with which the invention is associated is illustrated in the drawings and it will be seen to comprise a lay 8 suitably movably supported by arms 9. The lay B is provided with an opening in therethrough for the accommodation of warp wires H. The lay also carries, adjacent the opening it), and in proximity to the warp wires M, a reed 82 which is resiliently mounted 40 in the lay against rubber cushioning blocks I3.

The warp wires H extend from a source over a supporting and guiding member l4 and are extended through reciprocatory heddle frames 15. The heddle frames are reciprocated by chains H5 extending to a source of power (not shown) and are adapted during the operation of the mechanism to move the warp wires from the position in Fig. 1 to a crossed over position, as in Fig. 3, and vice Versa. As before mentioned 50 said warp wires extend through the opening [0 in the lay and immediately adjacent the pocket formed by said warp wires 2. shute or weft wire ii is adapted to be forced into said pocket. The Woven wire cloth l8 extends from this point out- 55 the links 23 reciprocato ry movement will be imsaid levers 25 are pivotally connected with end.

V wardly and is adapted to be fed over a supporting member I9. V

The mechanism further includes a driven shaft which is connected with and driven by a source of power (not shown). Mounted ,on'said shaft is a large cam 2| along whose surface a roller 22 on the outer end of a lever 23 rides. The other end of said lever is keyed toa rocker shaft 24 which shaft also has mounted fast thereon the inner ends of levers 25. The'other ends of mit rocking motion to the rocking shaft 24-. This:

will cause the levers 25 to rock, and through parted to the lay 8 to effect its withdrawal, and

when the highpoint on cam 2| passes the roller 3|, the lay-falls forward due to gravity. This action, of course, takes place while the other loom'mechanism is operating, including the shute (not shown) for the disposition of the shute wires l1, and the heddle frames carrying the warp V wires Suflice it tosay that the various movements are effective .to cause the reed l2 to, enage the shute wires and force the same into proper relative position with respect to the crossed or. angled warp wires. s

It is at'this stage that the standard Fourdrinier wire. weaving looms require additionalblows or beats of the reed relative to the shute or weft wires, in, order to prevent said weft wires from rolling 'or turning or springing away from theproper position, The mechanism to be described hereinafter'obviates this difliculty.

In this connection it will be noted thatthe driven shaft 2!! carries a small cam 28. 'Dis- .posed below saidcam 28 is ahydraulic dash pot which will be described in detail hereinafter, and which is referredto generally by the numeral 29. Within said dash pot there is a plunger 30 Y carrying a roller 3| at its outer end, which roller is adapted to engage the cam 28. .Depression of said plunger 3| by the cam 28, serves to open a valve, permitting fluid to flow under pressure .into a chamber 4| below apiston 32 due to a vacuum establishedby the piston in its raised position. The'piston has an integral upwardly, outwardly projecting piston rod 33 pivotallyconnected to anend portion of a pair of links 34..

The other end portion of the links are pivotally connected to the outer end of a lever '35 and J theother endflportion of said lever is mounted fast on the rocker shaft 24. Obviously the rocking movement of said shaft 24 will transmit movement to the piston rod and piston.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 4, 5,.and 6 of the drawings it will appear that the hydraulic dash poti29 is illustrated in detail. Within one side of the housing of said dash pot there is an oil reservoir 33 having a lower discharge port 31 controlled by a valve 38. Said valve is carried by an upwardly extending valve rod 39 which is guided by a wall portion 40 and the upper end, ofsaid valve rod is surrounded by a coiled spring 42-confined between the top of said wall portionand adjusting nuts 43. The upper end of said valve rod engages the plunger 38 which is moved by contact with the cam 28, as previously explained. The cam 28, which is mounted opposition to the force of'the spring46.

on the driven shaft 20, acts on the roller 3| and thereby, through the plunger 30 and valve rod 39, operates the valve 38 against the force of the spring 42; 24 completes a cycle of rocking or reciprocating In actual practice the rocking shaft motion while the driven shaft 20 makes one revolution. Hence, as will hereinafter appear, the

piston rod 33 and the valve 38 canwork in harmony; I

In the lower portion of the casing of the dash pct 29, and laterally removed from the valve 38,

there is a valve seat 44 which also serves as a guide for a valve 45. Said valve 45 is urged to its lowered position by a spring 46. The valve 45 is mounted within a. valve housing 41 and has a sliding fit with respect thereto.

Within the lower portion of the housing 29 i there is adjustably mounted a fluid flow control screw 48. Said screw is utilized to control fluid flow from the cylinder chamber 4| through ports 49 and into and througha ported plug 62 and vice versa, such flow being via ducts 49, 50, 5|, 52 and chamber 53.

Directly below the cylinder chamber 4| there is an opening 54 and said opening affords passage between the .oil reservoir 36 and said chamber Fig. 4. I r The operation of the hydraulic dash pot and} the mechanism and valves therein, in conjunction with the other mechanism described, will be understood from the following description? When the lay 8 drops by gravity to carry the woof wire into position to form the cloth, the piston 'rod 33, through its connections with thelay, is moved from its lowered positionto. its raised position. This actionof the piston rod, and the piston 32 carried thereby, causes a suction within the chamber 4|, lifting the valve 45in With said valve beingopen, and with a suction created; fluid is drawn from or through the various ducts and ports previously. described. The relief of pressure under valve .38 permits atmospheric pressure on the fluid in reservoir36 to lower 7 the valve 38'below and spacedly from a valve 7 seat 63 against the action of the spring 42. This opening movement of said valve 38 permits fluid V from the reservoir 36 to flow through the openin 54 and into the cylinder chamber 4|, filling said chamber below the piston 32.

Immediately after the piston 33 reaches its raised position, valve 45 closes'in its housing 44. and against the valve seat formed therein. 'By virtue of an opening 6| provided in the housing 44, any fluid between the valve and its seat, i

forced out by the closing of the valve.

fore, important in determining a partial down movement of'the piston rod 33'and the rebound of the lay 8. If no rebound for the lay is desired, the control screw 48 must be adjusted so as to sufficiently open the passage 5| to permit a fast flow of fluid through the ported plug 62 to effect the immediate closing of the valve 38 against its seat 60.

On the other hand, operation of the loom may require no rebound to the lay, but a rearward creeping movement, instead. In this event the control screw 56 is adjusted so as to allow a slow flow of fluid through the passage 55 and eventually to the reservoir 36.

If it is desired to eliminate rearward creeping of the lay entirely, then the control screw 56 is adjusted so as to completely close the passage 55. This prevents any fluid from returning to the reservoir 36.

When the piston rod 33 is to move from its raised position to its lowered position, by reason of the action of the mechanism which returns the lay, cam 28 acts on the roller 3| to move the valve 38 away from its seat 60, thereby allowing fluid to flow from the chamber 4!, through the ducts and passages, and into the reservoir 36. There is pivotally mounted on the upper portion of the casing 29 a. relief lever 63 integral with an extension lever 64. By this arrangement if the free end portion of the lever 64 is manually depressed, it will push the plunger 30 downwardly and remove the roller 3| from contact with the cam 28. This, of course, will cause the valve 38 to open, and by means of said levers the machine operator can reverse the movement of the lay temporarily, and at any time, irrespective of the normal movement imparted to the mechanism by the cam 28.

It is intended that valve 58 serve as a relief valve to eliminate undue pressure in chamber 4|, chamber 53, and the intermediate ducts when the valve 38 is opened quickly, and by virtue of the valve 58 fluid passes from the ported plug 62 through said valve 58, openings 65, and into the reservoir 36 until the film between the valve 38 and its seat 60 is broken. Valve 58 also serves as a safety valve in the event that cam 28 is set so that it will open the valve 38 slightly after the piston rod 33 has begun its downward movement.

Certain vents 66, extending between the upper portion of the chamber 4! and the reservoir 36, serve to equalize the air pressure in said members 4| and 36.

It will thus be seen that by reason of the improved hydraulic dash pot in connection with the lay operating mechanism, a desirable check is imposed on certain movements of the lay, heretofore unavoidable. The lay, through the connections described, operates in its normal manner, but undesired rebound thereof, after the reed I2 engages and moves the woof wires I1, is either eliminated or controlled, according to the desires of the operator. In other words, the improved dash pot supplies a controlled force in opposition to the normal rebound tendency of the lay.

By the adjustments and valve manipulations of the dash pot heretofore described the following alternative results are attainable:

1. Complete elimination of the lay rebound so as to hold the reed I2 firmly against the woof wires I'I prior to or during a certain stage of the next operation of the heddle frames to cause a crossing over of the warp wires.

2. Replacement of the lay rebound by a plurality of vibrations or short blows of the reed I2 against the woof wire I1.

3. Regulation of the extent'of the lay rebound so as to provide a desired'amou'nt of clearance between the reed I2 and woof wireI'I.

In connection with the first result just mentioned, when the lay rebound is eliminated the lay will be held so that its reed I2 engages and holds the woof wire IT in against the wire cloth I8 until the woof wire is secured by being enclosed by the warp wires. Without this provision said Woof wire will invariably rebound from the wire cloth I8 after the lay has struck its blow. Under this condition when the warp wires close in on the woof wire, the latter will be carried forwardly by the next blow of the lay and cause serious abrasion to the wires as well as undue disruption of the molecules of both the warp and woof wires, whereby the quality of the cloth will be impaired and its life will be shortened.

When the rebound is replaced by a plurality of vibrations or short blows the disadvantages just mentioned are eliminated, and in addition a tighter cloth is formed.

Result #3 previously mentioned has the advantage of preventing rubbing of the reed against the woof wire in the event that there is a certain amount of transverse motion of the woof wire relative to the reed. Obviously all of results 1, 2 and 3, previously enumerated, are for the purpose of making the mechanism flexible to meet different conditions of weaving in wire cloth.

From the foregoing description it will be obvious that the improved loom lay rebound control mechanism is of simple and novel construction, and is well adapted for the purpose described.

What is claimed as the invention is:

1. In a wire cloth weaving mechanism including a forwardly and rearwardly reciprocating wire engaging member, means for opposing the. rebound tendency of said wire engaging member immediately following contact of the latter with a resilient wire, and means to render the rebound opposer inoperative during the normal rearward reciprocation of the wire engaging member.

2. In a wire cloth weaving mechanism including a forwardly and rearwardly reciprocating wire engaging member, means for controlling the rebound tendency of said Wire engaging member immediately following its contact with a resilient wire, and means to render the rebound control inoperative during the normal rearward reciprocation of the wire engaging member.

3. In a wire cloth weaving mechanism including a forwardly and rearwardly reciprocating wire engaging member, adjustable means for opposing the rebound tendency of said wire engaging member immediately following contact of the latter with a resilient wire, and means to render the rebound opposer inoperative during the normal rearward reciprocation of the wire engaging member.

4. In a wire cloth weaving mechanism including a forwardly and rearwardly reciprocating wire engaging member, mechanical means for oppos ing the rebound tendency of said wire engaging member immediately following contact of the latter with a resilient wire, and means to render the rebound opposer inoperative during the normal rearward reciprocation of the wire engaging member.

5. In a wire cloth weaving mechanism including a forwardly and rearwardly reciprocating wire engaging member, hydraulically controlled mechanical means for opposing the rebound tendency of said wire engaging member immediately following contact of the latter with a resilient wire, and means to render the rebound opposer inoperative during thenormal rearward reciprocation of the wire engaging member. 7

6. ma wire cloth'weaving mechanism including a forwardly and rearwardly reciprocating wire engaging member, dash pot means for controlling the rebound tendency of said wire engaging member immediately following contact of the latter witha resilient wire, and means to overcome the restraint imposed by said dash pot means during the normal rearward reciprocation' of the wire engaging member. a

'7. In a wire cloth weaving mechanism including a forwardly and rearwardly reciprocating wire engaging member, mechanical and hydraulic means for controllably opposing the rebound tendency of said wire engaging member imme- ,diately following contact of the latter with a resilient wire, and means for temporarily rendering said rebound control means inoperative during the normalre-arward reciprocation of the wire 7 engaging 'member. a

8. In a weaving apparatus, including a lay en gaging warp and shute strands during weaving operations, means permitting forward and rearward reciprocations of the lay relative to one of the strands and into contact withsaid strand f during the forward reciprocation, adjustable means connected with said reciprocating means for momentarily repelling undesired rebound of 1 the lay following acontact with said strand, and means'to render said rebound repeller inoperative during the normal rearward reciprocation of the wire engaging member.

9. In a weaving apparatus including a lay contactable with a shute strand during weaving operations, the layrbeing mounted for forward gravitation toward the shute strand and rearward reciprocation away therefrom, a rocker shaft, connections between the rocker shaft and the lay for reciprocating thelay away from the-shute strand following contact therewith, means connected with said rocker shaft for opposing rebound tendencies of the layin the interim fol-- lowing its contact with the strand and just prior to the rearward reciprocation of the lay, and

' means for rendering said rebound opposer inoperative during the rearward reciprocation of the lay. V t V 10. In a weaving apparatus including a reed carrying reciprocatory lay adapted to engagea taut shute strand during weaving operations, an

' oscillatory shaft, means/in connection with said" shaft and extending to the lay permitting gravitationof the lay into contact with said strand and then positive withdrawal from the same, and

permitting gravitation of the lay toward the re-, silient strand, connections between the rocker shaft and the lay for moving the latter away from the resilient strand, and adjustable check means connected directly with and interposed between the camshaft and the rocker shaft for temporarily repelling oscillation of said rocker shaft to prevent rebound of the lay during, the interval be:-

movement away therefrom.

JOHN D. WATSON. LUDWIG ANDERSEN;

tween its contact with the strand and its positive 

